Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-07-05
LAMENTABLE LOSS.
Death OF &. e.. knell---He Passed
Away Early Yesterday Morning
Sketch of His Busy and Useful Life
The Fatal AIIment. Etc.

/ Jp1 NNNi WV AubiOh n0hat bol ~ ANNNHN
Island yesterday, the startling news
spread over the city that c. c. Knell was
dead. To many it was a shock, for
while it was generally known that he
was confined to his bed by sickness, few,
indeed, realized that his malady was of
such serious nature. His physicians,
Drs. Gait and Truesdale, his family and
| friends, had reason for alarm for week,
however, and to them death, sad as it was,
was not unexpected. 1t was 2:40 yester-
day morning that Mr. Knell breathed his
last at his home 1411 Fourth avenue,
where he had been confined to his bed
for Just two weeks. The cause of his
death was malignant typhoid fever, his
entire system having been thorough
| ly poisoned from inhalation OF inns
pure air while rooming in the third
story of Harper's theatre build~
ing. About two months ago. Mr.. Knell
gave I'D bis house on Third avenue and
furnished room in the theatre building.
Immediately following his occupancy OF
the building there was weeks engage
meDt at the theatre, and as soon as a per-
| Torrance was over the theatre was closed,
and it is thought that sleeping in the
building which was filled with impure
air infected his system with the
poison which caused his death. Mr.
Knell had been ailing for some time, and
| two weeks ago Sunday, while with Miss
Staunton at his home preparing it for oc-
cupaney after their coming marriage, he
sank down to the floor with exhaustion,
went to bed and never got up. Two
weeks ago this evening. the time set for
his wedding, he was married to Miss
Charlotte E. Stanton of Davenport. in
his sick chamber, it being the opinion OF
| the lady that this would be the better
course than to postpone the wedding, in
order that she might give him wlfe's
care, For time he seemed to improve,
| but week ago he began to sink and be
came delirious, remaining so more or less
until Sunday, when he went into coma
tose condition, from which he never raj
lied.
Charles c. Knell was born in Swilzer
land, March IS, 1916, and went to Can
ada with his parents. Mr.. and Mrs. Fred
knell, when he was four years old. For
| years he served as mail carrier. and
when twelve years old. while grooming
his horse one day, the animal kicked him
in the face, running his left eye After
ward he served MS clerk in Il furniture
store. and he improved all his opportuni-
ties for experience and money-saving and
in 1866 he located in Davenport, embark
ing in the furniture business. He was
successful from the start and in 1878 he
removed to Moline, carrying on business
there for year, when he moved back to
Davenport In 1876 he came to Rock ISIS
and, leasing store in the Harper theatre
| building, where his store remained until
his death His business grew and eX-
banded and he became possessed of one
| of the most successful mercantile enter
prises in the west lie was shrewd in
| his habits and progressive IN his ideas
and was generally successful in his bust
ness transactions. Two months ago he
sold out his furniture business TO Messrs
j. Ii. Clemens and Louis Saltzman, two
of his former employees, who were to
take possession next December In the
meantime Mr.. Knell had arranged to 90
into manufacturing in Rock Island, and
Mr.. p. l.. Mitchell had commenced the
construction of a building for that pur-
pose.
Eighteen months ago Mr.. Knel leased
Harper's theatre for period of five years
and so far had given this amusement re =
sort reputation for standard attractions
second to none in the state. On Feb. |
last he assumed the management of the
actress, Lillian Lewis. and made a circuit
of the north and west with her, returning
the middle of April.
In his domestielife, Mr.. Kuell had been
peculiarly unfortunate, having buried
two wives since his residence in Rock
Island. yet he was a man who attempted
to enjoy life. and to take pleasure in the
enjoyment of others, always contributing
as far as it lay in his power, to that end.
In his business transactions, he was q
man of very few words. He was easily
approached. honest and straightforward
in bis denlings. and strictly business at all
times. He did as much for Rock Island S
prosperity as any merchant who has ever
lived here, and his death may justly be
considered blow to the city's commercial
interests. Stricken down on the eve OF
still greater enterprises. his loss is to he
deplored. Would that Rock Island were
honOred with more such citizens as was
C. C. Knell.
He leaves with three children by his
first wife, the bride of two weeks. bis
parents who have moved back to Switz-
eTland. and three brothers-Fred Knell
at Perry, Iowa; Edward Knell, at Garth
age. Mo, and Albert Knell, of st. Louis,
together with three married sisters in
Switzerland. MIR knell leaves quite an
estate, and his life was well insured
81 900 of the insurance being in the Ma
ti0nal Union of which he was member
The funeral will be held from his late
home on Fourth avenue at 9 O'Clock to.
morrow afternoon.
The services will be in charge of Ar
senal council. National Union, and tha
society has chosen the following as pal
h9nrers: David Don and c. c. Mc1ntlr,
from the merchant associates of th,
deceased; ] Ii Clemens aud L. SalzmaI
from his employees. and + c. Hemenwa,
, | and III r BostOck from the Nafiona